Camping – although considered to be a simple vacation, can end up being very challenging! You’re probably very familiar with how to prepare for a camping trip and have a general idea of what to expect. However, with your kids to worry about, this camping trip may be vastly different to the ones you’ve been on previously. We run down the top tips for a family camping trip, to give you the best chance at making it one to remember!
Bring plenty of alternative entertainment
It’s unlikely that your kids are going to see the appeal of camping instantly. It may even be difficult to convince them in the first place, let alone see the beauty of camping out under the stars. Even if they are excited about the trip, boredom may kick in quickly once they realize it’s not what they had envisioned.
For this reason and like in the case of many other family excursions, it’s important to have plenty of alternative entertainment to mollify any outbreaks of boredom!
You could pack things that will keep them entertained around the campsite, including the likes of:
- Magnifying glasses
- Bug catcher
- Binoculars
- Water gun
- Balls
- Playing cards
- Bikes
- Fishing supplies
- Telescope
Have a digital detox
A family camping trip is one of the best opportunities to give yourself and your kids a digital detox. With so many hands-on things to do around the camp, it’s unlikely that you’ll find yourself reaching for your phone all too often.
As long as you provide your kids with plenty of forms of entertainment (as listed above), they will more likely appreciate the great outdoors, and time spent away from their tablets and smartphones.
Making a no-tech rule will likely cause a few upset faces, but it could be worthwhile in the long term. Campfire chats are a great opportunity to devote your full attention to your loved ones, which will likely be appreciated by your kids too.
Keep a phone at hand in case of emergency but try to devote your camping trip to family time as opposed to screen time.
Make cleaning stations on the family camping trip
At particularly muddy campsites, dirt will likely get dragged all over the campsite- and sometimes inside the tent too! It’s difficult to get a tent clean again after it gets dirty once, and the last thing you want is to constantly have to sweep debris out of your sleeping area.
Shared campsites will likely have cleaning stations already in place; however, this will not be the case when wild camping. You can make makeshift cleaning stations using a washbasin and some jugs of water. It would be a good idea to provide soap and towels around this area too, to help the kids get clean enough to enter the tent.
Keep your family trip as clean as possible by stocking up on plenty of water, wet wipes, soap, and towels!
Check the weather forecast when organizing activities
Most likely, you’ll already be checking the weather forecast regularly on the lead up to your camping trip. Not only is this a good idea when it comes to what kind of clothes you’ll need to pack, but it’s also a good way of giving yourself an idea of what kind of activities will be suitable to carry out.
Rain doesn’t necessarily mean your family camping trip will have to be postponed, but you may want to limit the amount of outdoor activity you plan on doing. For example, don’t expect the kids to be keen on a big hike through the woods in the rain!
If the forecast is looking less than promising, be sure to plan your camping itinerary around things you can do on-site. If the weather is likely to be unpredictable, you don’t want to stray too far from the campsite. Being outside all the time means it’s harder to get dry and warmed up again once wet. For this reason, always be within reach of your tent if it’s likely to rain!
Stock up on snacks and supplies for the family camping trip
Planning what food to take on your first family camping trip can be difficult. Doing as much food preparation beforehand is intrinsic to a successful camping trip. You can’t risk being in the middle of the woods and running short on supplies or finding that your food has been stored incorrectly!
It’s not just about packing enough food; it’s about packing it accordingly. Be sure to check to see if you have enough space in your cool box and bags, as they can fill up quickly.
Meals don’t have to be limited to what can be cooked over the campfire – with family camping trips, it’s a good idea to get creative with your meal options. Although burgers and sausages are tasty, it won’t be if it’s all that you eat! Some of the best and easiest meals to make while camping includes:
- Chili con carne
- Vegetable fried rice
- Tortillas
- Tacos
- Pasta
- Grilled pizzas
Try out all equipment beforehand
This is particularly important for tents and sleeping bags. It’s essential to pitch the tent out before leaving for camp, whether out in the garden or your house. This allows you to make sure that no parts are missing and that everything is in working order. It’s also good practice if it has been a while since your last camping trip!
For sleeping bags, make sure that each family member can still fit in their allocated sleeping bags. Kids grow up fast, and it doesn’t take long for them to grow out of kids-sized sleeping bags. It might be a good idea to invest in adult-sized sleeping bags for growing kids. This way, even although it may be too big, it’ll at least provide more than enough warmth.
Conclusion
The biggest thing is to stay safe and remember that your first camping trip with your family is unlikely to go totally to plan. Like anything, camping trips get better through experience, and you can learn from your mistakes on your follow-up camping trip. Follow the guidelines above, and you’ll at least get a head start on mastering the art of the family-orientated camping trip!